Why is it that when we are leaving the house for a day or two I feel like I am packing for a whole week? Can you imagine what I would have to pack if we were going to be gone a whole week!?
We spent last weekend spending a little (much needed) time camping together as a family, with no computers, TV only in the evening, grilled food and quality family time! Of course I had to make up some yummy treats to go along so I thought I'd share one of my favorite (healthier) snacks!
These little treats are a favorite around here, homemade granola bars! I
always double the recipe, because, lets be honest, goodies don't last
long around me! Oh and I add sprinkles, because everything is better with sprinkles, right!!??
Here's the recipe!
No-Bake Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
Healthier and cheaper than the store bought kind!
Yield: 10 bars
Prep Time: 2 hours including cooling time
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup honey
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 cups quick cooking oats {not rolled oats!}
1 cup crispy rice cereal
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips
Directions:
In a large bowl, stir oats and rice cereal
together. Set aside. In a small pot, melt butter, honey and brown sugar
together over medium high heat until it comes to a bubble. Reduce the
heat and cook 2 minutes. Pour in vanilla and stir. Pour over dry
ingredients and mix well to moisten all ingredients. Pour into lightly
greased small jelly roll pan {about 12x8x1} and press out to be about
3/4 inch in thickness. {If your pan isn't small enough, pack the mixture
into one side. You really want to press them down so they stick
together.} Sprinkle with mini chocolate chips and press down lightly.
Cool on a countertop to room temperature for two hours or until the
chocolate chips are set before cutting into bars. Wrap in parchment or
plastic wrap and store at room temperature.
Recipe Notes: If your granola bars don't seem to be staying together
when you cut them, you may have not boiled the mixture long enough...you
want it to make it just past the softball stage. OR you made them too
thin or you didn't pack them in tight enough. Stick them in the fridge
for 20 minutes and that should help keep them together. {Be sure not to
keep them in there too long or else they'll become super hard!} The next
time you make them, try boiling for an extra 15 seconds or so.
My Tips-
Use a piece of saran wrap over your hand to press into the pa, then top with chips and press in quickly before they melt!
Make sure you get the small quick oats, NOT the old fashioned oats, the big oats wont stick together!
